by admin | Mar 27, 2026 | Austin, wildflower
Best Wildflower Fields in Austin | Spring Locations
Spring wildflower season is my favorite time of year in Central Texas. It usually lasts from March to May. If you want to take photos in the flowers – check out my recommended Spring-time patches below.
Reminder: the blooms change from year to year – so subscribe to the Wildflower Center updates or follow the Texas Wildflower Report for the latest news.
Where are my favorite wildflower fields in and around Austin?
Spring wildflowers at Mueller Southwest Greenway Park
Located in East Austin, this restored Texas blackland prairie has native plants, sculptures and pond access.
2501 Tom Miller St. ATX 78723
Photo Sessions allowed: Yes, free to use, but expect crowds on Spring weekends.
Wildflower Center
Located in South Austin with over 900 native plant varieties. Several fields of wildflowers are grown across their gardens and meadows.
Photo Sessions allowed: Yes, but
professional photography has a location cost of $100 (M-F) or $250 (after hours / weekends)
If there’s a “sure thing” for bluebonnet season, it’s the Wildflower Center in southwest Austin.
Brushy Creek Lake Park
Located in Cedar Park (about 20 minutes from Central Austin), this 90-acre park has nature trails, lake views and lots of Spring wildflowers.
Photo Sessions allowed: Yes, free to use, but expect crowds on Spring weekends.
Pease Park wildflowers
Located in Central Austin, there is a wildflower field near the Live Oak Meadow.
1100 Kingsbury St. ATX 78703
Photo Sessions allowed: Yes, it’s free to have photos at the park. But keep an eye on their Events Page.
Commons Ford Ranch wildflowers
Located in Southwest Austin, this 215 acre park has multiple fields of wildflowers. You can also explore their boat dock and rustic barn. Their flower season lasts into the start of summer with sunflowers blooming.
614 N. Commons Ford Rd, Austin, TX 78733
Photo Sessions allowed: Yes, it’s free to have photos at the park. Will be crowded on Spring weekends.
Northwest Park wildflowers
Located in Central Austin, this 31 acre park has a field of wildflowers near the bridge that backs up to Shoal Creek.
7000 Ardath St. Austin, TX 78757
Photo Sessions allowed: Yes, it’s free to have photos at the park.
Lady Bird Lake patch of wildflowers
Located in South Austin, the trail around the water often has a mix of wilflowers including bluebonnets. I’ve found good patches by the Austin High School baseball fields.
AHS Baseball Fields
Photo Sessions allowed: Yes, it’s free to have photos at the park. You may have to pay to park nearby.
St. Edwards Park spring flowers
Located in Northwest Austin, this 80-acre greenbelt park includes trails blanketed by wildflowers in certain years.
7301 Spicewood Springs Rd. ATX 78759
Photo Sessions allowed: Yes, it’s free to have photos at the park.
Waterloo Greenway garden
Located in Downtown Austin, this 1.5 mile park system includes a flowering butterfly garden filled with native plants.
500 E. 12th st. ATX 78701
Photo Sessions allowed: Yes, it’s free to have photos at the park. You may have to pay to park nearby. Also – keep an eye on their Events page.
Located in Southeast Austin, this state park has a wildflower meadow that starts with bluebonnets and shifts to other wildflowers throughout the spring season.
5808 McKinney Falls Parkway 78744
Photo Sessions allowed: Yes, though there is a fee to enter the park ($6/adult). Also check their Events page for possible conflicts.
Other Hill Country Flower Spots outside of Austin:
Poppies in Georgetown, TX
Located 30 miles from Austin, the Red Poppy patches in Georgetown bloom in Spring. You can also visit their Red Poppy Festival at the end of April.
Various locations around town
Photo Sessions allowed: Yes, but check by location.
Located an hour and a half from Austin, this Fredericksburg farm has gardens to explore as well as a vinyard on site.
100 Legacy Drive, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Photo Sessions allowed: Yes, personal photography is allowed. Ask permission first for professional photo sessions. Their site also says they do charge an entrance fee during peak bloom times.
Sweet Eats Sunflower Fields
Located in Georgetown, this farm has a multitude of activities to enjoy. They have a tulip field in February, pick your own flowers in May and a sunflower field in June and July.
14400 E. State Hwy 29, Georgetown, TX 78626
Photo Sessions allowed: Yes, personal and professional photography is allowed provided you pay the admission fee.
Located in Blanco, TX, visit this cut flower farm and garden. This farm in the Hill Country has blooms throughout the year (tulips, poppies, sunflowers and more).
13977 Farm to Market Rd 2325, Blanco, TX 78606
Photo Sessions allowed: Yes, personal photography is allowed. Ask permission first for professional photo sessions.
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Please contact me if you’d like to book your own Family or Senior Portrait session among the wildflowers. Explore more photo sessions on my blog.
Stephanie Friedman first picked up a camera in high school, went on to study photojournalism in college (Hook ‘Em), then worked as a photo researcher in educational publishing for over 20 years.
During all that, she’s been photographing Families and Seniors for the last 10 years. You can count on her to be communicative and organized before your session. She’ll help you feel relaxed and confident during your session. And you’ll have a smile on your face after your session once you see your new photos.
by admin | Feb 27, 2026 | Austin, wildflower
Best Places for Bluebonnets in Austin | Spring Locations
Bluebonnet Season is a magical time in Central Texas lasting from late March to early April. If you want to take photos in the flowers – check out my recommended Spring-time patches below.
Reminder: the blooms change from year to year – so subscribe to the Wildflower Center updates or follow the Texas Wildflower Report for the latest news.
Where are my favorite bluebonnet fields in and around Austin?
Bluebonnets at Brushy Creek Lake Park
Located in Cedar Park (about 20 minutes from Central Austin), this 90-acre park has nature trails, lake views and lots of Spring wildflowers.
Photo Sessions allowed: Yes, free to use, but expect crowds on Spring weekends.
Wildflower Center bluebonnets
Located in South Austin with over 900 native plant varieties. Several fields of bluebonnets are grown across their gardens and meadows.
Photo Sessions allowed: Yes, but
professional photography has a location cost of $100 (M-F) or $250 (after hours / weekends)
If there’s a “sure thing” for bluebonnet season, it’s the Wildflower Center in southwest Austin.
McKinney Falls State Park bluebonnets
Located in Southest Austin, the Upper Falls area has a nice patch of bluebonnets. Reservations are recommended.
5808 McKinney Falls Parkway, Austin, TX 78744
Photo Sessions allowed: Yes, but you need to pay for a day pass at the park. $6/adults. 12 years old and younger are free.
Bluebonnet Photo Session at Balcones District Park
Located in North Austin, there is a field near Duval Rd. as well as one near the playground on Amherst Drive.
12017 Amherst Dr, Austin, TX 78759
Photo Sessions allowed: Yes, it’s free to have photos at the park.
Commons Ford Ranch Spring wildflowers
Located in Southwest Austin, this 215 acre park has multiple fields of wildflowers. You can also explore their boat dock and rustic barn.
614 N. Commons Ford Rd, Austin, TX 78733
Photo Sessions allowed: Yes, it’s free to have photos at the park.
Northwest District Park bluebonnet patch
Located in Central Austin, this 31 acre park has a field of blubonnets near the bridge that backs up to Shoal Creek. You can also sometimes find flowers near the parking lot by the pool.
7000 Ardath St. Austin, TX 78757
Photo Sessions allowed: Yes, it’s free to have photos at the park.
Located in South Austin, this park is home to trails, soccer fields and a disc golf course. I recommend parking off the Slaughter Lane entrance.
6301 W. Slaughter Lane, Austin, TX 78739
Photo Sessions allowed: Yes, it’s free to have photos at the park.
Located in South Austin, their best field is located on the corner of St. Edwards and University Loop Drive.
3001 S. Congress Ave. Austin, TX 78704
Photo Sessions allowed: Yes, it’s free to have photos at the park. You may have to pay to park on campus.
Bluebonnet Patch at Lady Bird Lake
Located in South Austin, the trail around the water often has a mix of wilflowers including bluebonnets. I’ve found good patches by the Austin High School baseball fields.
AHS Baseball Fields
Photo Sessions allowed: Yes, it’s free to have photos at the park. You may have to pay to park nearby.
Old Settlers Park bluebonnet field
Located in Round Rock, this 670 acre park is home to multiple sports fields as well as the Dell Diamond and the Rock ‘N’ River water park.
3300 E. Palm Valley, Round Rock, TX 78665
Photo Sessions allowed: Yes, it’s free to have photos at the park.
Other Hill Country Bluebonnet Spots outside of Austin:
Bluebonnet Field at Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area
Located 40 miles from Austin in Spicewood, this park is on Lake Travis. It’s known for huge fields of bluebonnets each Spring. They even have their own Bluebonnet Festival called Bluem in March.
2820 Mule Shoe Bend Drive, Co Rd 414, Spicewood, TX 78669
Photo Sessions allowed: Yes, but there is a park entrance fee to pay ($5/adults, kids 12 and under are free).
Located an hour and a half from Austin, this Fredericksburg farm has gardens to explore as well as a vinyard on site.
100 Legacy Drive, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Photo Sessions allowed: Yes, personal photography is allowed. Ask permission first for professional photo sessions. Their site also says they do charge an entrance fee during peak bloom times.
Located in Spicewood, this 1,368 acre Park has over nine miles of Lake Travis shoreline. You can find some great bluebonnet patches as well as impressive limestone cliffs.
2805 Pace Bend Road, Spicewood, TX 78669
Photo Sessions allowed: Yes, it’s free to have photos at the park. You will need to pay an entrance fee. $5/adult, kids 12 and under are free. CASH only.
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Please contact me if you’d like to book your own Family or Senior Portrait session among the bluebonnets. Explore more photo sessions on my blog.
Stephanie Friedman first picked up a camera in high school, went on to study photojournalism in college (Hook ‘Em), then worked as a photo researcher in educational publishing for over 20 years.
During all that, she’s been photographing Families and Seniors for the last 10 years. You can count on her to be communicative and organized before your session. She’ll help you feel relaxed and confident during your session. And you’ll have a smile on your face after your session once you see your new photos.
by admin | Apr 27, 2021 | photography, wildflower
Do you know the history of the red poppies in Georgetown?
“A young soldier sent home seeds from Flanders’ Fields during WWI and the Red Poppies began to grow wild across Georgetown for many years. Although the flowers no longer grow wild as they once did, the citizens of Georgetown have worked diligently to preserve the City’s history and beauty by cultivating these wonderful Red Poppy flowers in locations across town.”
So when this family requested flowers for their photo session and the bluebonnets were done for the season in Austin – we headed North to Georgetown instead. The poppy-filled Sunken Gardens in San Gabriel Park in Georgetown, Texas made a great Spring back-drop.
Please enjoy some of my favorite pictures from their Spring portrait session below. Full gallery (password protected) available HERE.
by admin | Apr 23, 2021 | photography, wildflower
These sisters had their Spring Wildflower photo session at Northwest Park in Allandale. The bluebonnets were almost done, so luckily some other colorful flowers were popping up in that field.
Please enjoy some of my favorite pictures from their portrait session below.
by admin | Jun 9, 2019 | photography, wildflower
While the wildflowers were putting on such a show at St. Edwards Park, I met up with this sweet family for some Spring portraits.
The kids were great sports to go exploring in the tall grass among the sticky burrs.
We had staring contests:
Piggy-back rides:
And lots of snuggles, silliness and smelling the flowers:
Please enjoy these sneak peeks from their family portrait session.
To see all the photos and purchase prints from their gallery, click HERE.
1. How do you know Stephanie Friedman Photography?
I met Stephanie when our kids went to the same pre-school – and we became connected on social media. It was through her darling Instagram account where I was wow-ed with how she approaches photography – especially capturing natural and sweet moments with kids. (Edit: Thank you! It was so fun to see how much the kids have grown since their Montessori days – Stephanie)
2. What was your favorite part of your photo session?
My favorite part of the photo session was Stephanie’s presence and sense of adventure. She had great ideas for the shoot – and then worked in the moment and with the kids to come up with ideas on the fly – like my daughter’s bridge in the field of flowers! You can also tell that Stephanie is a mom – she knew how to work with my kids to get what she wanted, and also knew when it was time for a break. (Edit: Thank you! See “I wish I could do that” bridge pic below, and I always follow the kids’ leads when it comes to taking breaks – Stephanie)
3. What advice would you give to other families planning a photo session?
Go with the flow and let natural moments happen – those typically end up being the most memorable shots. (Edit: Yes! The in-between moments are always my favorites – Stephanie)
4. Anything else you’d like to add?
Stephanie is really easy to work with. Great communicator. Great ideas. And most of all, a great photographer! (Edit: 🙂 – Stephanie)
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If you’d like to book your own portrait session in Austin, contact me:
by admin | Apr 25, 2018 | family, photography, spring, wildflower
